2 July 2026
The objective of the project is to strengthen inclusive and gender-responsive local governance in Armenia by increasing the meaningful political participation of women and refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh in local self-government processes in Lori, Tavush, and Shirak regions. Through targeted capacity development, community mobilization, and engagement with political parties, the project aims to enhance women’s leadership readiness, improve institutional conditions for inclusion, and contribute to more representative and accountable local decision-making in the context of the 2026 local self-government elections.
Expected Results
Output 1. Increased awareness and motivation of women and refugees to engage in local self-governance and electoral processes: At least 560 women and refugees from the target 14 communities have increased knowledge of local self-government structures, citizen participation mechanisms, and pathways for political engagement. Through awareness and motivational meetings, a diverse pool of motivated women and refugees is established in each community, prepared to participate as candidates, active citizens, or community leaders in the 2026 local self-government elections and beyond.
Output 2. Strengthened political party frameworks that support women’s and refugees’ political participation: Political parties operating in the target communities demonstrate improved awareness and commitment to gender equality and refugee inclusion through engagement and advocacy.
Output 3. Enhanced leadership capacities and preparedness of women candidates for local self-government roles: Women officially registered as candidates in the 2026 local self-government elections strengthen their knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage effectively in local governance and decision-making. Through off-site, participatory capacity-strengthening sessions, women candidates acquire practical tools for inclusive decision-making, citizen engagement, and gender-responsive policymaking, and strengthen cross-party networks and collaboration.
The “WELP. Women’s Empowerment for Local Participation” project is implemented by the “NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO under UNDP’s “Resilience for All 2.0” project, with financial support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia.